RoJay (Bio)

“Life might not always be the party we hoped for but while we’re here, we should dance!” – Unknown

Often considered the life of the party himself, that sentiment is definitely one that Rolanje “RoJay” Armstead has taken to heart and for the last 16 years, he’s worked tirelessly behind the scenes in media and entertainment to both assist and inspire others to do the same. While enrolled as a Broadcast Journalism major at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, he began his media journey on campus working at the college station 91.9 WLJS.

Upon graduation, he quickly transitioned into multiple roles, simultaneously using his media savvy and pop culture knowledge to his advantage on air, behind the scenes and in front of the camera. He earned a slot as one of the morning show correspondents for 103.1 WEUP in Huntsville, AL, where he quickly made a mark as their personal “Man on the Street” delivering the latest in entertainment news. He also took a position working in Digital Operations Management for ABC affiliate WAAY TV, making sure their overnight broadcasts ran smoothly. In the process, he began building a strong rapport with the production staff who appreciated his good-natured humor and quick wit so much that they eventually pulled him from out of the control room and put him in front of the camera to air out the latest “Dirty Laundry” in entertainment once a week for three consecutive years.

Granted, those positions may have satisfied RoJay’s employment needs but they couldn’t quite satiate his entrepreneurial spirit. Wanting to take his passion for media and entertainment to another level, he started his own corporation: MiddleChild Promotions. Established in 2002, what started out as an online e-zine that hosted general entertainment news, reviews and interviews naturally evolved into a full-fledged digital marketing and promotion company that spent over a decade assisting record labels, both major and independent, with establishing and/or organizing street teams, album rollout campaigns, graphic design services and promotional appearances nationwide for numerous R&B and Hip-Hop artists.

As a testament to his hard work and hard-earned connections, RoJay found himself inserted into yet another high-valued position in the industry at the start of the 2010s: production coordinator and chief digital media manager for Grammy Award-winning singer Monica. Working in tandem with her production and management companies, as well as personally assisting the artist herself, RoJay has played key roles in the launching of and promotional campaigns for Monica’s last three studio albums subsequent tours nationwide.

Amidst all of this hardcore grinding in media and entertainment, RoJay has still found time to nurture his other interests as well, such as modeling and fitness; once again proving raw talent and hard work can pay off in spades, this side interest led to his being featured as one of EBONY Magazine’s Ten Sexiest Singles in America (2011). Still residing in his home state of Alabama, he also makes sure to give back to his community by donating his time and services to charitable fundraisers and events all throughout the year. As for the future, he naturally doesn’t have one set goal or objective in mind but is steadfast in forging his own path towards becoming one of the great figures in modern media.

“Why settle on doing one thing in life when everything seems to be an adventure?” – RoJay